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United  States  Department  of  AgricultuM®*'^^^’ 

OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS— Circular  No.  50. 


A.  C.  TRUE,  Director. 


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PRELIMINARY  PLANS  AND  ESTIMATES  FOR  DRAINAGE  OF  FRESNO 
t  DISTRICT,  CALIFORNIA.! 

By  C.  G.  Elliott,  Agent  and  Expert,  Irrigation  Investigatio7ts. 

THE  OBJECT  OF  THE  SURVEY. 

The  object  of  the  investigations  made  by  the  Office  “of  Experiment 
|;  Stations  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in  the  vicinity  of  Fresno, 

I  Cal.,  during  the  summer  of  1902,  was  to  secure  data  from  which  plans 

•I 

Ij'lifor  the  drainage  of  surplus  underground  water  could  be  intelligently 
ill  made.  The  necessity  for  such  drainage  has  been  forced  upon  the 

II  attention  of  all  observing  fruit  growers  and  vineyardists.  The  facts  are 
patent  To  everyone,  but  the  particular  remedy  to  be  applied  has  not 

ll'ibeen  so  clear  by  reason  of  the  extent  of  territory  involved,  the  surface 
jllpand  soil  conditions  peculiar  to  the  section,  and  the  elaborate  improve- 
llljlments  which  have  become  an  essential  part  of  the  Fresno  surroundings. 
j|p|l|||!j  All  of  these  and  possibly  other  conditions  must  be  taken  into  consid- 
jS  erati  in  the  development  of  any  practical  drainage  plan. 

The  facts  which  emphasize  the  necessity  of  drainage  and  the  difficul- 
}ji||||i|it^  to  be  met  in  securing  it  may  be  briefly  enumerated.  The  lower 
jj|j||iji  soil  which  formerly  was  dry  and  afforded  ready  drainage  for  water 
III  lip  leaking  from  irrigating  canals  and  that  furnished  by  overirrigation  of 
liliillands  which  they  serve,  has  become  filled  with  water  which  shows  at 
Jjliyithe  surface  in  the  lower  areas  and  at  varying  heights  in  the  soil  over 

HHlillthe  entire  tract  of  cultivated  land.  This  water  table  or  plane  of  satu- 

n*r!' 

ijjjlljiration  is  not  infrequently  found  within  2  feet  of  the  surface,  though 

i|jlil|its  height  is  variable  during  the  growing  season.  The  effect  of  this 

Ijpcondition  is  to  injure  growing  crops  in  two  ways.  First,  by  reason  of 

ipian  excess  of  water  in  the  soil,  which  is  everywhere  and  at  all  times  a 

|j!|i;:hindrance  to  the  proper  growth  and  development  of  useful  plants.  It 

lljiTots  the  roots  of  trees  and  vines  and  limits  the  productive  depth  of  the 

jilljsoil  to  that  portion  lying  between  the  water  table  of  the  soil  and  the 

■‘*1!ilj.fe'Surface,  thus  cutting  off  a  large  part  of  the  available  fertility  peculiar 
1 1 1  iy* 

i||j|ji{|to  the  soil  of  this  district.  Second,  by  reason  of  the  excess  of  alkali 


j  !This  report  is  based  on  surveys  and  plans  made  in  1902  by  Prof.  O.  V.  P. 
:llllljpl|Stout,  agent  and  expert,  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Elwood  Mead,  Chief  of 
||l|{||jj[rrigation  Investigations,  and  is  preliminary  to  a  more  complete  report  to  be 
ade  hereafter. 


which  the  abundance  of  water  has  dissolved  from  the  soil  and  which, 
through  the  process  of  evaporation,  has  become  concentrated  at  or  near 
the  surface.  This  deposit  has  not  been  made  in  one  or  two  years  only, 
but  is  the  result  of  successive  annual  accumulations  until  in  many 
localities  entire  vineyards  have  })een  destroyed  and  others  are  in  the 
various  stages  of  decline.  That  the  evil  is  growing  and  threatens  the 
final  destruction  of  thousands  of  acres  of  valuable  vineyard  land  is 
shown  by  the  observations  and  opinions  of  the  most  careful  cultivators. 

WILL  DRAINAGE  BE  BENEFICIAL? 

That  drainage  will  remedy  the  evils  mentioned,  and  particularly  that 
it  will  arrest  the  inroad  of  alkali  and  furnish  a  means  for  the  reclama¬ 
tion  of  land  already  injured  from  this  cause,  has  been  shown  in  many 
publications  of  the  Bureau  of  Soils  of  this  Department  and  of  the 
California  Experiment  Station.  The  following  local  instances  of  the 
beneficial  effects  of  lowering  the  soil  water  are  instructive  in  this 
connection : 

Land  which  adjoins  deep  drainage  channels,  as  the  Selma  Ditch  or 
Kings  River  at  Reedley,  or  land  which  occupies  the  higher  portions  of 
the  cultivated  area  is  comparatively  free  from  surface  alkali.  The 
example  found  in  what  is  known  as  the  Selma  Sand  Hollow,  a  name 
which  is  frequently  used  in  referring  to  the  most  pronounced  of  the 
ranges  of  depressions  which  are  embraced  in  the  area  surveyed,  located 
in  T.  16  S.,  'R.  22  E.,  furnishes  a  striking  illustration  of  the  success  of 
drainage  experiments.  About  fifteen  years  ago  a  number  of  interested 
land  owners  became  alarmed  at  the  rise  of  the  ground  water  in  that 
locality  and  combined  in  making  this  depression  continuous  by  exca¬ 
vating  through  the  low,  short  bars  which  separated  the  ponds  from  one 
another,  thereby  providing  cheaply  a  drainage  channel  which  has  been 
in  effective  operation  ever  since.  The  deep  tule  ponds  situated  in 
various  localities  contain  an  abundance  of  seepage  water  which  is 
derived  from  land  adjoining  them  and  act  as  drainage  receptacles 
giving,  for  the  present  at  least,  satisfactory  drainage  of  the  soil.  As  a 
rule  the  more  level  lands  and  those  which  lie  farthest  down  the  slope 
are  those  which  suffer  most  from  the  effects  of  alkali. 

I 

EXTENT  AND  RESULTS  OF  THE  SURVEY. 

The  survey  made  by  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  in  the  Fresno 
district  was  confined  to  a  study  of  the  engineering  problems  involved 
in  the  proper  drainage  of  this  region,  and  its  results  are  intended  to 
show  what  may  be  done  to  alleviate  similar  difficulties  in  irrigated 
regions  where  like  conditions  are  found. 

The  survey  made  during  the  summer  and  fall  of  1902  covered  a  terri¬ 
tory  of  300  square  miles,  and  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  surface  slopes,  investigating  the  position  and  kind  of  hardpan,  the 


lO-vio.50 


^  plane  of  subsoil  water,  the  action  of  existing  drains,  and  the  character 

of  such  drainage  water  as  could  be  obtained.  Much  information  bear¬ 
ing  upon  the  problem  was  obtained  and  is  used  in  forming  conclusions 
f  relating  to  the  value  and  methods  of  drainage. 

The  territory  demanding  the  most  urgent  and  immediate  drainage  is 
that  lying  directly  south  and  southwest  of  the  city  of  Fresno,  compris¬ 
ing  about  28  square  miles  of  highly  cultivated  vineyard  land,  or  that 
which  has  been  such.  The  surface  slopes  westerly,  and  in  some  instances 
southwesterly,  about  5  feet  per  mile.  The  main  irrigating  canals  extend 
in  the  direction  of  the  greatest  slope  and  parallel  each  other  at  intervals 
of  from  three-quarters  to  one  and  one-half  miles.  There  is  no  drainage 
outlet  nearer  than  the  Fresno  Slough,  which  is  15  miles  distant,  south¬ 
westerly  from  the  city  of  Fresno.  The  district  for  which  surveys  and 
estimates  have  been  made  is  bounded  as  follows :  Beginning  at  the 
intersection  of  California  and  Chestnut  avenues,  which  is  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  district ;  thence  westerly  along  California  avenue ;  thence 
southwesterly  on  the  south  side  of  the  ridge  to  Cornelia  and  Fresno 
avenues ;  thence  south  on  Cornelia  avenue  to  Washington  avenue ; 
thence  east  on  Washington  avenue,  across  the  Southern  Pacific  and 
Santa  Fe  railroads  to  the  southeast  corner  of  sec.  32,‘T.  14  S.,  R.  21  E.; 
thence  north  on  the  east  line  of  secs.  32  and  29  to  North  avenue  ;  thence 
west  to  Chestnut ;  thence  north  on  Chestnut  to  California  avenue,  the 
place  of  beginning. 


DEPTH  AND  FREQUENCY  OF  DRAINS. 


From  investigations  made  here  and  elsewhere  relative  to  the  drainage 
of  irrigated  land  which  has  become  wet  by  seepage,  it  is  learned  that 
shallow  drains,  b3"  which  are  meant  those  from  2  to  3j  feet  deep,  do  not 
prevent  the  rise  of  alkali  to  the  surface,  nor  in  many  cases  make  the 
land  sufficiently^  dry  for  the  most  profitable  cultivation.  A  depth  of 
from  5  to  7  feet  for  main  drains,  it  is  believed,  will  lower  the  water  line 
to  such  a  point  that  the  accumulation  of  alkali  at  the  surface  will  cease ; 
and  when  once  the  surface  excess  is  disposed  of  by  the  well-known 
methods  of  irrigation  and  cultivation,  the  land  will  be  permanently 
restored. 

The  distance  apart  at  which  the  drains  should  be  placed  is  one-half 
mile  in  east  and  west  parallel  lines.  At  this  distance  they  will  be  acces¬ 
sible  to  owners  of  land  on  either  side  without  great  difficulty ;  and  fur¬ 
ther,  it  is  believed  that  they  will  reduce  the  water  level  uniformly  over 
the  entire  area  with  the  exception  of  such  portions  as  have  a  persistent 
hardpan  stratum  at  a  depth  less  than  that  of  the  drains. 

GENERAL  PLANS. 

While  the  depth  and  distance  apart  at  which  it  is  wise  to  place  the 
main  drains  are  quite  clear,  as  determined  by  examinations  so  far  made, 


P  40195. 


there  may  be  a  choice  of  the  kind  of  drains  which  it  would  be  proper  to 
use  for  the  main  drainage.  Underdrains  constructed  of  draintile  have 
been  sufficiently  well  tested  at  Fancher  Creek  Nursery  and  Sunnyside 
Vineyard  to  prove  that  soil  water  will  readily  reach  them  and  flow  away 
when  an  outlet  is  provided ;  and  further,  that  they  will  reduce  the  water 
level  to  a  level  approaching  that  of  the  floor  level  of  the  drains  for  a 
distance  not  j^et  determined.  Deep,  open  ditches,  when  kept  in  good 
condition,  will  relieve  adjacent  land  of  seepage  and  drainage  water. 
In  either  system  the  water  must  be  disposed  of  constantly  and  not  per¬ 
mitted  to  accumulate  and  back  up  in  the  drains,  thereby  raising  the 
water  line  in  the  soil  between  them  and  partially  defeating  the  object 
of  their  construction. ' 

PLAN  NO.  1. — OPEN-DRAINAGE  SYSTEM. 

The  open  system  for  the  district  described  must  have  an  intercepting 
outlet  drain  at  the  west  which  will  receive  and  carry  all  water  coming 
from  the  district  in  a  southwesterly  direction  toward  Fresno  Slough.  It 
should  begin  at  the  west  side  of  sec.  17,  T.  14,  R.  20,  extend  southwest¬ 
erly,  as  shown  upon  the  map,  in  the  direction  of  the  greatest  slope  of 
the  land  a  distance  of  6  miles,  having  a  full  depth  of  7  feet ;  then  with 
a  grade  of  Ij  feet  per  mile  for  2  miles,  until  the  water  is  discharged 
upon  the  surface  of  the  ground  at  a  point  40  feet  lower  than  the  surface 
of  the  land  where  it  started.  This  drain  should  be  12  feet  wide  on  the 
bottom,  with  side  slopes  of  1  to  1  for  the  entire  distance.  It  may  be 
added  that  this  ditch  will  be  in  line  to  receive  drainage  from  the  city  of 
Fresno,  as  well  as  from  the  district. 

The  drains  for  the  district  will  consist  of  eight  parallel,  open  drains, 
one-half  mile  apart,  extending  from  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  district 
directly  west  to  the  intercepting  drain.  They  will  have  an  average  grade 
of  5  feet  per  mile ;  will  be  from  5  to  8  feet  deep,  4  feet  wide  on  the  bot¬ 
tom,  side  slope  of  1  to  1,  and  not  less  than  20  feet  wide  across  the  top. 
They  will  be  constructed  on  one  side  of  the  avenues  or  roads,  the 
excavated  earth  being  thrown  into  the  road  and  made  into  an  embank¬ 
ment  next  to  the  property  line.  Where  the  ditches  cross  roads,  bridges 
must  be  built ;  where  they  intersect  irrigating  canals,  drains  may  be 
carried  underneath  by  boxing  or  sewer  pipe ;  where  they  come  in  front 
of  and  cut  off  entrance  to  private  property,  bridges  must  be  built  or  the 
drain  must  be  boxed  and  covered.  Where  the  ditches  cross  railroad 
lines,  large  cast-iron  culvert  pipes  may  be  used.  All  of  these  contin¬ 
gencies  must  be  provided  for  as  well  as  the  cost  of  right  of  way,  where, 
in  some  cases,  the  ditches  do  not  follow  roads. 

The  carrying  out  of  this  plan  will  involve  the  construction  of  8  miles 
of  intercepting  outlet  ditch  and  65j  miles  of  interior  or  lateral  ditches. 
The  estimate  of  the  cost  of  this  work,  including  bridges,  right  of  way 


5 


I 

where  public  roads  do  not  exist,  organizing,  legal  and  other  expenses 


may  be  stated  as  follows : 

Estimate  for  open  drains. 
f  INTERCEPTING  OUTLET. 

6  miles  of  ditches,  bottom  width  2  feet,  depth  7  feet — 25,977  cubic 

yards  per  mile  at  15  cents _  $23,379.00 

1  mile  of  ditch,  bottom  width  12  feet,  depth  5  feet — 16,579  cubic 

yards  at  10  cents _  1,658.00 

1  mile  of  ditch,  bottom  width  12  feet,  depth  3  feet — 8,817  cubic 
yards  at  10  cents _ _ _  882.00 


25,919.00 

LATERAL  DRAINS. 

[Estimate  per  mile.] 

Average  depth  7  feet,  bottom  4  feet,  side  slopes  1  to  1 — 

15,048  cubic  yards  at  15  cents _ $2,257.00 

2  highway  bridges  at  $75 _  150.00 

6  farm  entrance  bridges  at  $50 _  300.00 

2,707.00 

_  177,308.00 

_  1,150.00 

_  6,500.00 

_  3,563.00 

214,440.00 

Organization,  engineering,  superintendence,  etc.,  10  per  cent _  21,444.00 

Total _ _ _ _ _  235,884.00 

The  construction  difficulties  which  will  be  encountered  in  the  execu¬ 

tion  of  this  plan  are  of  a  somewhat  uncertain  nature.  It  will  be  neces¬ 
sary  to  make  the  excavations  during  the  fall  and  early  winter  wffien 
the  soil  w^ater  is  at  its  lowest  stage.  The  intercepting  ditch  can  proba¬ 
bly  be  constructed  with  a  floating  dredge  more  expeditiously  and 
cheaply  than  by  any  other  mrethod  for  the  reason  that  sufficient  water 
will  likely  be  developed  for  floating  the  machine,  in  which  case  the 
work  can  be  done  at  any  season  of  the  year.  The  parallel  ditches  may 
probably  be  made  either  wholly  or  in  part  by  dry-land  machines.  A 
part  of  this  work,  however,  will  consist  of  the  proper  placing  of  the 
excavated  earth  in  the  form  of  road  embankments.  Hardpan  will  be 
an  undetermined  factor  in  the  work,  as  will  also  spots  of  water-bearing 
soil  or  quicksand. 

The  careful  cleaning  and  care  of  these  ditches  will  be  essential  to 
their  efficiency  for  they  must  be  kept  clear  and  in  condition  to  permit 
a  ready  flow  of  water  over  the  bottom  at  all  times.  The  loose  character 
of  the  soil  and  the  rapid  growth  of  vegetation  will  make  this  a  w^ork 
requiring  constant  vigilance. 

PLAN  NO.  2. — COVERED  OR  TILE-DRAIN  SYSTEM. 

The  tile-drain  system  will  not  require  the  open  intercepting  drain  as 
an  outlet.  For  this  system  the  territory  is  divided  into  18  subdistricts. 


65i  miles  at  $2,707 _ 

23  boxed  crossings  for  irrigation  canals  at  $50 

Railroad-iron  pipe  culverts _ 

Right  of  way  23f  acres  at  $150 _ 


averaging  in  size  from  800  to  1,700  acres.  Lines  of  tile  ranging  from  8 
inches  to  22  inches  in  diameter  are  laid  in  parallel  lines  along  the  ave¬ 
nues  corresponding  to  the  system  described  for  open  ditches.  The 
ditches  do  not  cross  irrigation  canals,  except  in  a  few  instances.  The 
discharge  from  the  drains  is  received  in  a  sump  located  near  a  canal, 
and  is  then  lifted  into  it  by  a  plant  consisting  of  a  suitable  pump 
operated  by  an  oil  engine.  The  quantity  of  water  which  the  drains  are 
designed  to  carry  and  the  pumps  to  lift  is  2J  cubic  feet  per  second  for 
each  square  mile.  The  drains  will  be  laid  7  feet  deep,  their  size  being 
proportioned  to  the  area  which  may  be  drained  into  the  separate  lines. 
For  the  purpose  of  making  the  drains  accessible,  so  that  they  may  be 
kept  free  from  silt  and  roots,  manholes  constructed  of  redwood  lumber, 
2‘i  by  4  feet,  reaching  18  inches  below  the  flow  line  of  the  drain,  are 
placed  at  intervals  of  400  or  500  feet.  The  necessity  for  this  provision 
is  quite  apparent  from  an  inspection  of  tile  drains  which  have  been  laid 
in  the  vicinity.  Local  experience  is  that  if  the  drains  be  laid  16  feet 
distant  from  a  line  of  trees  or  vines  but  little  difficulty  from  roots  enter¬ 
ing  drains  would  be  found.  But  this  condition  can  not  be  met  in  this 
system  of  drains ;  so  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  ample  provision 
for  the  constant  scouring  of  the  drains.  They  should  be  laid  upon  a 
board  bed,  and  provision  has  been  made  for  this  in  the  estimates.  No 
provision  is  made  in  the  estimate  for  the  purchase  of  right  of  way  for 
drains,  since  any  inconvenience  or  loss  resulting  to  land  during  construc¬ 
tion  will  be  more  than  compensated  for  by  reason  of  the  proximity  of 
the  drains  to  the  fields  of  the  owners  who  will  be  inconvenienced. 

ESTIMATE  OF  COST. 

The  newness  of  this  class  of  work  here,  and  the  difficulty  of  getting 
at  the  probable  prices  at  which  large  drain  tile  can  be  obtained,  give  an 
uncertainty  to  the  estimate  for  this  plan.  In  this  estimate  the  cost  of 
pumping  plant,  manholes,  material,  labor,  organization,  legal  fees,  engi¬ 
neering,  and  superintendence  have  been  provided  for ;  also,  a  liberal 
price  has  been  allowed  for  excavation  because  of  the  unknown  and 
indeterminate  part  which  hardpan  and  caving  soil  will  play  in  the  con¬ 
struction  work. 

The  following  units  of  cost  have  been  used  in  making  the  estimate 
of  the  cost  of  the  execution  of  Plan  No.  2 : 


Coat  of  tile  drains  per  lineal  foot. 


SIZE  OF  TIEE. 

8-ineh. 

10-ineh.i 

12-ineh . 

14-inch . 

IG-inch . 

18-inch . 

20-inch . 

22-inch . 

Cost  of  tile  at  Fresno _ 

Other  costs  _ 

Cents. 

m 

Idi 

Cents. 

20l 

Cents. 

27 

21  i 

Cents. 

40 

23l 

Cents. 

50 

231 

Cents. 

GO 

252 

Cents. 

70 

292 

Cents. 

85 

33 

Total _ 

321 

422 

481 

G3l 

732 

852 

992 

118 

7 


Cost  of  manholes,  estimated  at  I  j  cents  per  lineal  foot  drain ;  sumps 
at  pumping  stations,  $90  each;  pumping  plants,  $1,200  for  the  smaller 
and  $1,600  for  the  larger  subdistricts.  To  the  total  cost  of  construction 
5  per  cent  is  added  to  cover  incidental  expenses,  such  as  organization, 
engineering,  etc.,  which  can  not  be  itemized  but  which  are  a  legitimate 
and  necessary  part  of  the  cost  of  the  completed  work. 

Under  this  plan  the  subdistricts  are  designed  and  estimated  as  units 
of  the  whole  and  the  cost  per  acre  of  the  territory  included  in  each 
does  not  in  any  way  depend  upon  that  of  an  adjoining  suhdistrict. 
Striking  an  average  of  the  several  subdistricts,  the  cost  per  acre  is 
estimated  at  $14.16.  In  this  system  all  drains  are  of  tile,  and  labor 
and  material  estimated  at  present  quotations.  While  the  cost  varies 
somewhat  for  the  different  subdistricts,  this  may  be  regarded  as  a 
fairly  accurate  estimate  under  existing  conditions  of  values.  There 
will  be  approximately  sixty  miles  of  drains,  making  it  a  work  of  such 
magnitude  that  it  will  enlist  the  best  efforts  of  contractors.  Each  of 
the  separate  subdistricts  will  require  from  10,000  to  31,000  feet  of 
draintile,  ranging  from  8  to  22  inches  in  diameter.  With  respect  to 
the  estimates  of  the  cost  of  both  plans  it  should  be  said  that  a  more 
minute  canvass  and  examination  of  all  the  details  will  probably  result 
in  a  reduction  of  the  estimates.  It  is  intended  to  present  the  case 
fairly  and  to  name  figures  that  will  cover  the  cost.  In  the  considera¬ 
tion  of  new  work  for  which  there  is  no  local  price  established  the 
tendency  is  to  underestimate  rather  than  otherwise.  A  cost  of  from 
$13  to  $14  an  acre  on  all  land  included  within  the  limits  of  a  district 
containing  from  17,000  to  20,000  acres  maj^  be  regarded  as  an  outside 
estimate  with  a  reasonable  prospect  of  the  final  cost  being  20  per  cent 
less. 

COMPARISON  OF  THE  TWO  PLANS. 

Plan  No.  1  disposes  of  water  by  gravity  into  a  large  intercepting 
outlet  constructed  for  the  purpose  which  will  discharge  the  water  into 
the  flat  leading  into  the  Fresno  Slough.  Plan  No.  2  gathers  water  into 
sumps  at  convenient  points  by  means  of  tile  drains  and  discharges  it 
by  suitable  pumps  into  existing  irrigation  canals.  In  both  instances 
the  lowering  of  the  soil  water  is  to  be  accomplished  by  parallel  drains, 
one-half  mile  apart  and  from  5  to  8  feet  deep.  In  the  former  plan 
land  will  be  taken  up  by  open  ditches,  and  the}^  must  be  crossed  by 
irrigation  canals,  public  and  private  roads,  and  railroads,  and  provision 
must  be  made  for  constant  repairs  and  cleaning.  In  the  latter  plan 
no  land  need  be  provided  nor  bridges  built  and  maintained,  but  ample 
provision  must  be  made  for  scouring  the  drains  and  for  operating  the 
pumps.  This  expense  where  several  subdistricts  are  operated  under  • 
one  management  may  be  placed  at  25  cents  per  acre  annually.  In 
Plan  No.  1  the  work  should  be  organized  and  executed  as  a  unit  and 
possesses  the  advantage  that  each  drain  may  be  extended  farther  east 


I 


8 

and  be  made  available  for  an  extension  of  territory  at  anj^  time  the 
people  may  so  desire.  In  Plan  No.  2  as  many  subdistricts  may  be 
formed  into  one  district  as  desired  and  the  work  of  each  subdistrict  be 
complete  in  itself.  The  difference  in  the  cost  of  the  work  under  the  two 
plans  as  estimated  is  not  enough  to  enter  seriously  into  the  discussion 
of  the  plans,  but  as  far  as  cheapness  is  concerned  the  chances  are  in 
favor  of  the  second. 

THE  EFFICIENCY  OF  THE  TWO  PLANS. 

There  seems  to  be  no  evidence  to  show  that  either  open  or  closed 
drains  will  fail  to  lower  water  in  seeped  soils.  Experience  in  Colorado 
with  either  kind  of  drains  is  satisfactory  in  that  respect.  Observations 
upon  the  water  line  made  in  March,  1903,  for  a  distance  of  Bj  miles  along 
Fruit  avenue  indicate  that  the  rise  is  mainly  uniform  at  different  points, 
and  that  while  these  points  do  not  form  a  straight  line  they  readily 
show  that  if  drains  were  placed  at  the  one-half-mile  lines  as  directed  in 
the  plans  described,  the  water  line  would  lower  between  them  with  as 
great  uniformity  as  it  now  rises  when  there  is  no  drainage.  It  may  be 
said  in  favor  of  the  open-drain  system  that  the  ditches  are  made  large, 
not  because  it  is  expected  that  the  drainage  to  be  provided  for  will 
require  their  full  capacity,  but  for  reasons  of  construction  and  mainte¬ 
nance.  They  can  not  be  kept  open  unless  they  have  sufficient  bottom 
width  to  permit  workmen  to  readily  clean  them,  and  further,  ample 
bottom  width  will  give  room  for  some  temporarj^  obstructions  caused 
by  crumbling  sides  without  wholly  obstructing  the  ditch.  For  this 
reason  there  will  be  but  slight  risk  of  overcharging  the  capacity  of  the 
ditches.  The  capacity  of  the  tile  system  will  be  limited  to  the  amount 
of  drainage  which  it  is  computed  to  carry,  which  is,  as  before  stated,  2^ 
cubic  feet  per  second  for  each  square  mile. 

The  data  thus  far  secured  regarding  the  quantity  of  water  which 
should  be  removed  from  the  soil  daily  are  not  as  complete  and  reliable 
as  could  be  desired.  The  only  definite  measurements  upon  the  rise  of 
the  water  table  were  obtained  in  March,  1903,  from  test  wells  located 
half  a  mile  apart  along  Fruit  avenue,  beginning  at  Church  avenue  and 
continuing  south.  The  rise  noted  at  the  several  wells  at  the  end  of  30 
da3^s  was  as  follows : 


Inches. 

Well  No.  1 _  18 

Well  No.  2 _ 13 

Well  No.  3 _  1(3 

Well  No.  4 _  11 

Well  No.  5 _  171 

Well  No.  6 _ 181 

Well  No.  7 _  15 


From  this  record  it  appears  that  the  daily  rise  during  the  month  of 
March  was  one-half  inch,  which  is  greater  than  information  previously 


obtained  had  given  reason  to  believe.  Should  this  prove  to  be  a  fair 
criterion  for  computing  the  capacity  of  the  drainage  channels  required, 
it  may  be  found  that  the  tile  system  will  be  overcharged.  There  are 
indications,  however,  that  the  water  in  some  localities  passes  downward 
to  lower  levels  through  channels  in  the  soil  occurring  at  irregular  inter¬ 
vals  so  that  drains  which  collect  water  from  one  locality  may  part  with 
it  at  another  before  it  reaches  the  final  outlet. 

USE  OF  DRAINAGE  WATER. 

The  water  which  will  be  developed  by  any  drainage  system  may  be 
useful  for  irrigation  whether  delivered  to  a  ditch  provided  especially  for 
the  purpose  or  mingled  with  the  water  in  the  irrigation  canals.  From 
the  information  thus  far  obtained  it  is  believed  that  in  this  region  such 
waters  may  be  safely  used  for  irrigation. 

SUMMARY. 

This  is  the  case  briefly  stated.  The  attempt  has  been  made  to  pre¬ 
sent  the  facts  gathered  in  such  a  manner  that  the  conclusions  reached 
can  be  understood  by  all.  The  drainage  of  these  lands  is  practicable,  ^ 
though  not  without  difficulties.  The  worth  of  the  product  of  the  land, 
together  with  its  value  for  homes,  makes  it  well  worth  the  cost.  The 
land  which  has  suffered  greatest  injury  is  that  which  is  regarded  most 
highly  for  the  cultivation  of  vines.  The  fertility  of  the  soil  is  unques¬ 
tioned.  The  use  of  expensive  fertilizers  will  not  be  required.  No  serious 
disadvantage  attends  the  cultivation  of  this  vineyard  soil  except  its  lack 
of  drainage.  While  this  difficulty  was  unlooked  for  when  the  land  was 
first  improved,  it  is  not  one  which  may  not  be  overcome,  nor  will  the 
expense  of  the  necessary  work  be  greater  than  has  been  incurred  for 
similar  improvements  elsewhere  on  land  much  less  valuable  and  which 
is  now  considered  by  the  owners  a  most  profitable  and  satisfactory 
investment. 

Recommended  for  publication. 

A.  C.  True,  Director. 

Publication  authorized : 

James  Wilson,  Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  April  16,  1903. 


